Billy Martin made an apology, an appearance on the field and a promise. There is a truce in his battle with the umpires.

After Monday night's game, the New York Yankees manager said he was going to sue the umpires and planned to argue again even if they ejected him. He said this was war.On Tuesday, Commissioner Peter Ueberroth stepped forward as a peace negotiator and ordered a cease fire.

Ueberroth said he told the parties to "stop it and stop it now," and asked both sides to apologize.

In a statement released by the Yankees prior to their 4-3 victory over Boston on Tuesday night, Martin said he was sorry for an incident in Oakland on May 30 in which he kicked and threw dirt on umpire Dale Scott. He received a three-game suspension and a $1,000 fine.

"I want to apologize for the incident that took place in Oakland," Martin said. "The old Billy is going to be the old Billy, with one exception," Martin said. "I will never kick dirt again."

Shortly after, the umpires' association released a statement saying, "... due to Billy Martin's apology and his promise of good behavior, Billy will be permitted to go on the playing field to question umpires.

"Very significant in this decision was the commitment of the Commissioner and (L President) Bobby Brown to closely monitor the situation during the remainder of the season."

It didn't take long for Billy to get back in action at Yankee Stadium.

Martin made four uneventful trips Tuesday night. He took out the lineup card and then went to the mound in the top of the first to talk with pitcher Charles Hudson, getting a standing ovation. He tipped his cap to the crowd on the way back.

In the bottom of the first, Martin came out to talk with home plate umpire Mark Johnson about whether a gold chain on pitcher Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd's neck was interfering with the batters. Martin also went to the mound in the ninth to talk to pitcher Cecilio Guante.

"I did the things a manager has to do," Martin said. "I got right back into it."

Martin said the whole incident made him depressed and he considered resigning.